Nexus 4 isn’t sold out at T-Mobile, but it comes with a catch

Apparently more popular than Google thought, the LG Nexus 4, Android 4.2, smartphone sold out nearly immediately after it was released in the Google Play Store. Some consumers have been checking the Play Store page hourly, and others have set up automatic services to notify them when the device goes back on sale, although Google says that the next batch won’t be in for at least a week. However, if you absolutely must have a Nexus 4 today, then there is another option.

Many people seem to have forgotten, but T-Mobile is a partner in the Nexus 4 launch, and at the time of this post still have the phone listed as in stock on their website. It should be available in some stores as well, but when I went by my local T-Mobile store on the way home today, it didn’t have any in stock. (To be fair, it is a fairly small retail location.) Regardless of where the device is purchased, there is one catch: T-Mobile’s off contract price for the 16GB version of smartphone is listed at $499, and signing a two year contract only brings the price to $199.

When an unlocked Nexus 4 costs only $350 for the 16GB version from the Play Store, and the 8GB can be purchased for just $300, this clearly isn’t a great deal. The $500 may be worth it for those who really want the Nexus 4 right now, but an extra $150 is a high price to pay to have the device right away. As far as the contract goes, it really isn’t a good deal for anyone other than those already using T-Mobile contract plans, and even then going off-contract might still be cheaper. Still, for the crazed Nexus 4 buyers who must have the smartphone right away, T-Mobile still has them in stock. I’m sure the company would be glad to sell them, too, especially at these prices.

About the Author

Aaron Orquia is an associate editor at Pocketables. He has been using Android and Linux since he bought his first computer years ago, and his interest in technology, software, and tweaking both to work just right has only grown stronger since then. His current gadgets include a OnePlus One, a Pebble smartwatch, and an Acer C720 Chromebook.